I've been writing Verses and Prayers, in various forms, for nearly 15 years. I need help on this one - please feel free to pray about what I'm trying to say, and then tell me what I SHOULD have said...
Chapter Two in Acts is the birth of the church at Pentecost - check it out, at your convenience - and at the end of that chapter, Peter says
"Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you and your children. It is for everyone our Lord God will choose, no matter where they live."
Peter told them many other things as well. Then he said, "I beg you to save yourselves from what will happen to all these evil people." On that day about three thousand believed his message and were baptized.
They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed together.
Everyone was amazed by the many miracles and wonders that the apostles worked. All the Lord's followers often met together, and they shared everything they had. They would sell their property and possessions and give the money to whoever needed it.
Day after day they met together in the temple. They broke bread together in different homes and shared their food happily and freely, while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved.
So, just for contrast, this weekend, I was at a board meeting for one of the seminary-based continuing education programs for lay people, and here's what I heard:
- "We need to get younger participants - you know, people under 50"
- "We'd like to get people in their twenties and thirties involved, but they're too busy. They can't take off work to attend classes during the week, and they have family commitments on the weekends"
- "Our best bet may be to invite new participants from retirement communities in the area"
What the heck happened?
I could be wrong about this, but one of the things I'm thinking is that we're coming out of a long, dark night where we thought "church" was a place you went, not something you did - and maybe even something that you were.
I heard a great story from Diana Butler-Bass about a month ago - a congregation had gathered on their lawn for some special event, and as a "passing of the peace" moment, the pastor said, "Let's all greet the church!"
Half the congregation turned around and waved at the building.
"No, the church is over here - we're the ones with feet". We're the ones who know the love of God and can't wait to share it.
Right?
If I missed a prayer concern, please let me know - but here's what I can remember:
- My daughter April had successful gall bladder surgery last week and is back at work.
- My lovely wife is in Mexico.
- Sarah's grandmother, hospitalized.
- The Schindlers, after the death of Mike's father.
- College students and their families, and healing.
- For Kim Jackson, and for her birth parents.
- For the Dicksons, including my lovely faith partner Mariah.
- For my lovely faith partner Leslie, engaged to be married in early May.
- For Caitlin and Afton, who couldn't be more amazing.
- For parents who are learning how to share their faith.
- For Christians who answer a call to be the church, and then keep running into people who want to wave at buildings...
Have a blessed week! Christ lives in you,
Spencer the wonder hamster
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